Armed police were called to a Jesmond pub after reports of an alleged armed robbery on October 16th.

At around 11:45pm on Monday, the armed response unit of Northumbria Police attended the Lonsdale Hotel, on Lonsdale Terrace Jesmond, after reports of an alleged armed robbery.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on nearby Grosvenor Place later that evening, but a spokesperson for Northumbria Police confirmed to JesmondLocal that the man has since been released under police investigation.

According to Northumbria Police, “a man entered the pub and then threatened a member of staff with what is believed to be a handgun.”

Police told JesmondLocal that no handgun has been recovered, and so it was not possible to ascertain whether the firearm alleged to have been used in the incident was real or an imitation.

A spokesperson for Greene King, the company which owns the Lonsdale, told JesmondLocal: “We can confirm there was an attempted robbery at the Lonsdale Hotel […] fortunately no team or guests were hurt during the incident and no property was stolen.

The spokesperson added: “We are working closely with the police, and as this is a live investigation it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

Jesmond is not unfamiliar with armed robberies. In 2015 Jules B was victim of a robbery at knife point. In March this year the two perpetrators of that crime were sentenced.

The alleged incident at the Lonsdale is the fourth reported incident in recent years.

JesmondLocal contacted workers at the Lonsdale, who did not wish to comment as the incident is still part of an ongoing investigation.

Inspector Steve Byrne of Northumbria Police confirmed that there will be a stronger police presence to comfort the public in Jesmond.

Police also ask that people who may have any information about the incident call 101 and quote the reference 1447 16/10/17.